Anaheim parks lead Disney's turnstile boost

Guests visiting Cars Land at Disney California Adventure in November saw Radiator Springs decked out in festive decor. H. LORREN AU JR., THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Snowy, a whimsical “snowcar” greets visitors including guests Addison Medina, 2, and dad Adam Medina, of Garden Grove, at Cars Land in November. Disney decorated the new land for the holiday season for the first time in 2012. H. LORREN AU JR., THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The "Halloween Screams - A Villainous Surprise in the Skies" fireworks show goes off over Sleeping Beauty Castle in October during Mickey's Halloween Party, an after-hours, trick-or-treat party at Disneyland. KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Spiders are projected onto Sleeping Beauty Castle during Mickey's Halloween Party, an after-hours, trick-or-treat party at Disneyland in October. KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Guests visiting Cars Land at Disney California Adventure in November saw Radiator Springs decked out in festive decor. H. LORREN AU JR., THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Local Disney parks saw a jump in visits during the bustling Halloween and Christmas seasons, helping the company boost tourism business late last year.

On Tuesday, the Walt Disney Co. reported its earnings for Sept. 30 to Dec. 29, which covers most of the two holiday seasons featuring special events, food and decorations. The U.S. Disney parks had a 4 percent increase in attendance, compared with the same period a year earlier.

Bob Iger, the company's chief executive, said the Anaheim parks have experienced a "dramatic increase" in attendance and spending since the June debut of the $1 billion makeover of Disney California Adventure.

The expansion included the opening of Cars Land, a 12-acre area based on Pixar's "Cars" movies with three rides.

"We're definitely seeing strong results in California from the significantly changed Disney California Adventure," Iger said during a conference call Tuesday with investors.

Disneyland Resort is home to two theme parks, three hotels and the Downtown Disney entertainment-shopping district. Disney is Orange County's largest employer with 25,000 workers.

Disney no longer breaks out figures by Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California. Jay Rasulo, the company's chief financial officer, said Disney World's attendance went up "a hair" during that time period. However, visits to Disneyland Resort's two parks helped drive up business.

For all U.S. resorts, compared to the same time frame in 2011:

•Visitors spent 6 percent more money on items such as souvenirs and churros in the parks.

•At hotels, overnight guests spent about 4 percent more money.

Hotel occupancy dropped by about 4 percent to 81 percent, mostly because more rooms opened in May at a new Florida hotel, the Art of Animation Resort. Florida has more than 20 Disney hotels, compared to three in Anaheim

So far this year, hotel reservations are up about 4 percent compared to early last year.

Hotel guests are also paying more for rooms in early 2013, Rasulo said.

The Halloween and holiday seasons are major draws for park visitors.

During the holiday season, Disney California Adventure crews spiffed up Cars Land with special vehicle-theme décor, including wreaths made with tools, tires and air filters.

Across the esplanade, Disneyland hosted 20 nights of the Candlelight Ceremony, a retelling of the Christmas story.

The Halloween season also brings in visitors, in particular for nighttime, trick-or-treat parties that require separate tickets.

While parks boosted business, the company as a whole reported a 6 percent drop in profits for the quarter. Overall revenues increased to $11.3 billion, up 5 percent.

Cable network profits dropped by about $15 million, mostly because of a dip at Disney-owned ESPN, which had higher program and production costs, the company reported.

The costs are tied to increases in college and NFL football rate increases, as well as more NBA games compared with last year's lockout.

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